Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has played well in spurts during his time with the team, but he never got a consistent workload unless Joe Mixon was out with an injury. With the statuses of Mixon and Perine uncertain heading into 2023, Perine could be a running back to monitor this offseason.
Plenty of fantasy gamers don't have Perine on their radar, but a favorable landings spot could see him enter relevance, even in shallow leagues. Deeper-league fantasy managers have stashed Perine for the last few years and he's paid off here and there.
Is Perine a free agent this offseason and what teams could be interested in signing him if he's not back with the Bengals? Let's get to it.
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Is Samaje Perine a Free Agent in 2023?
Perine is set to enter free agency this offseason after totaling 394 rushing yards, 287 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. While he's not necessarily a hot name given the loaded free agent running back class this offseason, it's worth noting he was more efficient than Joe Mixon this year and has a real pass-catching skill set.
However, Mixon could be cut this offseason as the Bengals have an out on his contract and will need to extend their superstar on offense soon, so Perine could be back with the Bengals on a cheap deal. There are a lot of directions Perine's career could be headed after a solid year as a backup running back.
Which Team Will Sign Perine?
If Perine hits free agency, there are a ton of potential landing spots. If every team views him as a backup, the possibilities are endless. There are several stud free agent backs in 2023, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, and Miles Sanders. If any of those players change teams, could Perine be headed to where they departed from as at least a committee back? It's possible.
Ultimately, it's tough to project who will be in the market for a running back, as there are plenty of committee and backup-level backs available in every NFL Draft.
Given the strength of the free agent class as a whole, there's a low chance Perine finds himself in a starting role unless it's in Cincinnati if they decide to move on from Mixon.
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